The pinnotherid type material of Semper (1880), Nauck (1880) and Burger (1895) (Crustacea : Decapoda : Brachyura)

The major study of pinnotherid crabs by Otto Burger (1895) is a landmark publication for students of the Pinnotheridae, not only for the many new species described, but also for its introduction of useful species characters. Burger (1895) described and illustrated 28 new species, mainly from the Philippines, and reported additional species including those described by his colleagues, Semper and Nauck. Unfortunately, few subsequent workers have examined the 'Burger' material-a significant problem because his species accounts are inadequate by modem taxonomic standards leading to questionable identifications. Therefore, all available 'Burger' material has been re-examined herein. Of the 31 new species described by Burger, Semper and Nauck, types of 21 species are still extant. Species for which original types are still extant are redescribed and refigured, with lectotypes usually selected. Species for which type material is lost are briefly diagnosed and illustrated by their original figures. Species for which neotypes have been assigned by previous studies are illustrated and diagnosed for completeness. Generic assignments of all species are reassessed and updated. Burger's specimens of Pinnotheres parvulus Stimpson, 1858, are syntypes of P. alcocki Rathbun, 1909, and transferred to Arcotheres. Pinnotheres glaber Burger, 1895, is synonymised with P. impressus Burger, 1895, and transferred to Orthotheres. Pinnotheres rhombifer Burger, 1895, is synonymised with P. latissimus Burger, 1895, and transferred to Arcotheres. Pinnotheres rotundatus Burger, 1895, is also synonymised with P. consors Burger, 1895, and transferred to Arcotheres. The type series of Arcotheres palaensis Burger, 1895, comprised two species, one of which is referable to A. guinotae Campos, 2001; a lectotype is selected to retain validity of both species. The type series of Xenophthalmus latifrons Burger, 1895 (here transferred to Arcotheres), contained two species, one of which is named A. rayi, new species. Pinnotheres gracilis Burger, 1895, and P. burgeri Rathbun, 1909, are transferred to Viridotheres. Miscellaneous, unstudied material in the 'Burger' collection included an undescribed Viridotheres, herein named V. otto, new species. Pinnotheres placunae Hornell & Southwell, 1909, is also referred to Arcotheres.